The Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) enters the results of all child protective services investigations into the State Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR). An indicated report or investigation in the register can prevent parents and caretakers from being hired for certain jobs working with children, disabled adults, the elderly, in the medical field, or becoming a foster or adoptive parent.
CFR works to help parents—whether ACS filed a case against them in Family Court or not—amend or seal their records in the SCR when possible, because this barrier to employment can keep families locked in the cycle of poverty.
If you received a letter telling you that ACS indicated their investigation of you, our team may be able to help you file an appeal to amend or seal your record in the SCR.
After you contact us, we will get more information about your case and determine if we are able to work with you. If we are able to work with you, our State Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment Appeal Unit will explain the full appeal process.
We will first submit your appeal application on your behalf. The SCR will confirm your appeal has begun and provide a copy of your SCR record. We will discuss what’s in the record with you. If ACS does not file a case against you in Family Court, then your SCR appeal will be processed. If ACS does file a case against you, the SCR appeal is put on hold until your trial or case is resolved. The SCR will determine if it will amend your SCR case to be unfounded, seal it, or make no changes.Â
Any report that is not amended to unfounded in the first phase of the appeal process is sent for a Fair Hearing. In this hearing, ACS has to prove that you maltreated or abused your child. We can argue that even if ACS does prove their case, the case should be sealed so it does not show up in a background check. If you do not get your case amended or sealed after the Fair Hearing, you are entitled to appeal within 4 months of the decision being issued.
Learn more about the common terms we use at CFR and why we choose to use certain language like the family policing system instead of the child welfare system in order to accurately reflect the reality that thousands of Black and Brown families experience every day.
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Our team consists of attorneys, social workers, and parent advocates who have been through the systems themselves. Together, we fight alongside our clients for a future where every family can live free from surveillance and raise their children with self-determination.
Within this building are people who fight for families every single day and make sure that their voices are heard. -Teyora Graves-Ferrell, CFR Parent Advocate Director Watch Our Impact Video
I want to express my gratitude to the organization for believing in me, for their effort, for their support, for fighting for my rights, and for allowing me to be with my family, united and well. Watch Genesis' Story